Pigs in Southern China infected with Avian Flu!

                                             
Researchers reported for the first time the seroprevalence of three strains of avian influenza viruses in pigs in southern China, but not the H5N1. The influenza A virus is responsible for annual outbreaks as well as pandemics that have killed millions of people world wide. In an article published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, researchers have proved pigs can be infected with both human and avian influenza virus. They believe pigs act as a "mixing vessel" for genetic reassortment that could lead to pandemics. Pigs have been infected experimentally by all avian H1-H13 subtypes, however natural transmission to pigs has been rare, until now. In a study, from 2010-2012, Guihong Zhang and colleagues of the College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China test 1080 pigs ages 21-25 weeks. The tested them for all subtypes of the Avian influenza virus including H3, H4, H5, and H6, and also H1, and H3 subtypes of swine influenza virus. Of the pigs tested 35% tested positive for H1N1, and 20% tested positive for H3N2. A study in 2001 resulted in no samples being positive for any of the Influenza virus. These researchers strongly suggest that the pork industry worldwide, test for the influenza virus in their pigs.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121219174158.htm

Pain Therapy For Piglets

A study performed by Torunn Krangnes Fosse determined that “piglets of different age groups have a unique ability to break down and excrete painkillers.” According to the article in Science Daily, Fosse based her thesis on piglets and castration, which “is proven to be painful for these animals, not just during the course of the surgery itself, but also for several hours or days afterward.” Seeking to alleviate the piglets’ pain, Fosse studied two painkillers, meloxicam and ketoprofen, and gave different dosages to piglets of varying ages. As a result of the study, Fosse concluded that “the piglets had a better ability to excrete ketoprofen when they were six days old that when they were three weeks old.” Meloxicam had poor results with the piglets and was weak as a painkiller, while ketoprofen’s painkilling ability lasted up to 24 hours.

The importance of this study is that veterinarians and pig owners will now know how much of a certain painkiller to give their animals, and when they should use it. I found this article very interesting, since I have worked with swine on the Rutgers farm as a part of their Animal Science program. Our male piglets are castrated at around four days old, and all piglets undergo procedures such as ear notching, clipping the needle teeth, and giving shots to prevent diseases. Pain is associated with these procedures, particularly castration, so it is great to have painkillers for piglets available. The picture linked with this post is one I took at the Rutgers farm of our piglets.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101011090147.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piglet_(animal)#Pig_farming_terminology